Big Opportunities Opening Up in 3D Printing Market

Venture Beat, Tech news site, claims that Coca-Cola is the latest company to integrate 3D printing into its ad campaigns titled Coca-Cola Mini-me. The company promoted the launch of its new mini bottles in Israel by inviting consumers to its custom-made 3D printing lab in last month. Once there, the visitors were “scanned” and given 3D-printed mini-versions of themselves.

In addition to Coca-Cola, Disney is working with 3D printing in conjunction with its marketing initiatives as well. Disney is using the technology to offer visitors to its theme parks 3D-printed stormtroopers with their likenesses.

“Customization is one of 3D printing’s biggest strengths, and the marketing used by Coca-Cola and Disney validates that,” Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz said. “If two of the best known, most lucrative corporations in the world are using 3D printing and feel it is value added to their bottom line, it is only a matter of time before everyone else follows suit.”

According to Wohlers Associates, the 3D printing market reached $2.2 billion last year, up almost 30 percent from 2011. With early projections for 3D printing reaching $6 billion worldwide by 2017 and $10.8 billion by 2021, Quantum is exploring all avenues into the rapidly growing sector.